Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
New International Version
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
King James Version
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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Psalm 133:1
New International Version
Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
Psalm 133:1
King James Version
133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
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Ephesians 4:11-16
New International Version
11 So Christ himself gave(A) the apostles,(B) the prophets,(C) the evangelists,(D) the pastors and teachers,(E) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(F) may be built up(G) 13 until we all reach unity(H) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(I) and become mature,(J) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(K)
14 Then we will no longer be infants,(L) tossed back and forth by the waves,(M) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(N) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(O) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(P) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(Q) and builds itself up(R) in love,(S) as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:11-16
King James Version
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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1 Peter 2:4-9
New International Version
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone(A)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(B) and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built(C) into a spiritual house[a](D) to be a holy priesthood,(E) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(F) 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,(G)
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”[b](H)
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(I)
8 and,
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(M)
9 But you are a chosen people,(N) a royal priesthood,(O) a holy nation,(P) God’s special possession,(Q) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.(R)
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
- 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
- 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
- 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
1 Peter 2:4-9
King James Version
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
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